Friday, January 30, 2009

Stop 31: Wat Pho (near Pakse, Laos)



The enormous Wat Pho (pronounced "poo") temple complex was once part of Cambodia and the Khmer empire. It's now a good 150 km into Laos. Apparently Cambodia has been losing territory to its neighbors throughout the last couple centuries (though, unlike its relations with Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is currently on very good terms with the Lao P.D.R.).

The temple complex was fascinating because it was Buddhist only in the loosest sense. Bas relief carvings of Hindu deities were everywhere, as were more animistic relics, such as venerated rock formations resembling an elephant's head and a crocodile.

Posted by Picasa

No comments: